'Chelsea Tractor' Drivers the Most Unpopular in Britain Reveals Research by Direct Line Car Insurance

London, United Kingdom (PressExposure) November 26, 2009 -- Research revealed today by Direct Line Car Insurance, Britainâs largest motor insurer, has found that motorists can be a prejudiced lot, with many claiming that the car someone drives affects their own driving behaviour.*

While âChelsea tractorâ drivers have been the subject of derision for years, commercial drivers make up four of the top five most disliked motorists on British roads. It seems that time pressures and long spells behind the wheel can lead van, truck and taxi drivers to drive in a way which annoys other road users.

The top three annoying attitudes that people associate with drivers of particular vehicles are:

Alarmingly, motoristâs attitudes to the type of car someone drives are affecting their own behaviour. More than one-in-seven (15%) claim they are less courteous to someone driving a car they do not like, while 60% of drivers allow extra distance between themselves and those who they perceive to be âone of the worst types of driverâ as judged by the car they drive.

One-in-five (19%) motorists would be âless likelyâ to leave their details if they damaged a car they donât like in a car-park, with men 50% more likely to âdo a runnerâ than women.

Head of Car Insurance for Direct Line, Maggie Game comments:
âThis research shows how attitudes to other motorists can have a significant impact on driver behaviour. Motorists should consider both their own safety and that of other road users before changing their driving behaviour simply because of the car someone drives.

With time literally being money for many commercial drivers, it is not surprising that they have some of the worst habits on the roads. It is important that commercial drivers remind themselves that the cost of an accident can far outweigh the savings associated with arriving a few minutes earlier.

Motorists should remember that no matter how minor an accident is, drivers are required by law to exchange details with third parties. Just because someone drives a particular type of car does not mean they deserve an expensive crash repair bill.â

One-in-twenty (5%) respondents said they dislike drivers of particular cars because they are wealthy, demonstrating that envy may be a reason for disliking particular motorists. Surprisingly, 7% of van drivers said that van drivers are the worst motorists.

Whatever car you drive, get a car insurance from Direct Line today and see how much you could save.

Notes to Editors:

â¢ Opinium Research carried out an online poll of 2,006 British adults from Friday 20th to Monday 23rd March 2009.

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line is part of RBS Insurance, the second largest general insurer in the UK and is wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting [http://www.directline.com].